Trial Shows Ozempic-Like Medications May Help Manage Chronic Migraines

Medications such as Ozempic and Saxenda have grown in popularity due to their ability to treat type 2 diabetes and assist in weight loss. These medications belong to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs have recently been shown to have additional, unforeseen health benefits for the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys. A new study has revealed that they could also help alleviate migraines in overweight patients. The study specifically focused on the GLP-1 agonist liraglutide, which is sold under brand names such as Victoza and Saxenda. The results suggest that the GLP-1 agonist semaglutide, sold under brand names such as Ozempic and Wegovy, may prove equally effective.

The Study on Liraglutide and Migraines

woman suffering from a migraine — Credit: Pexels

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Naples in Italy. It involved 31 participants with high BMI who suffered from regular chronic migraines. The participants received an injection of liraglutide every day, and after 12 weeks, the number of days per month that they experienced migraines dropped from 19.8 days to 10.7 days. This is a rather significant decrease, considering that it reduced their migraines nearly in half. Furthermore, the study’s researchers noted that factors such as sex, age, other medications, and weight loss did not significantly affect the results.

According to the authors, “Our findings show that liraglutide may be effective in the treatment of unresponsive high-frequency or chronic migraine in patients with obesity, and that this effect is independent from weight loss.” These results suggest that the specific mechanisms behind liraglutide’s ability to prevent migraines potentially operate independently of its metabolic effects. However, in order to verify this hypothesis, larger studies and a control group will need to be carried out. Yet, if proven effective, GLP-1 agonists such as liraglutide (and possibly even semaglutide) could offer new migraine treatments in the future.

The Need for New Migraine Treatments

Migraines affect around 15% of the population globally, yet the currently available medications and treatments are not effective for everyone. The participants in the study were unresponsive to other medications, which means that liraglutide was able to offer relief where other treatments had failed. The reason GLP-1 agonists are so effective at managing weight gain and type 2 diabetes is that they mimic glucagon-like peptide-1. This peptide is a naturally occurring hormone that is released after eating. Recent studies have also revealed that liraglutide significantly reduced intracranial pressure, which is believed to trigger migraines. In fact, GLP-1 agonists have been shown to effectively suppress migraines in animal models.

There were certain limits to the recent study on liraglutide’s effect on migraines, though. For one, the researchers did not look into the mechanisms beneath liraglutide that lead to migraine relief. Additionally, they did not directly measure the participants’ intracranial pressure. Yet, the team believes that the migraine reduction is due to less pressure in the brain. Another animal study recently showed that GLP-1 agonists reduced the amount of fluid present in the central nervous system. This led to a reduction of intracranial pressure. The team concluded that “These findings provide a foundation for larger-scale trials aimed at further investigating the role of GLP-1R agonists in migraine management.”

Other Benefits of Liraglutide

man holding chest in pain — Credit: Pexels

Besides the recent studies on its effect on migraines, liraglutide has recently been found to have several other health benefits. For example, it has been shown to reduce heart attacks and cardiovascular death in high-risk diabetic patients. A small trial involving 204 participants in the United Kingdom revealed an 18% decrease in cognitive decline in early Alzheimer’s patients who took liraglutide every day for 12 months. A study conducted in Ireland found that adults who used liraglutide for weight loss reported drinking less alcohol. In fact, their intake dropped significantly from 11.3 drinks per week to 4.3. GLP‑1 receptor agonists such as liraglutide have additionally been shown to have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.

The Bottom Line

This new study offers much-needed relief for overweight people struggling with chronic migraines. This is especially true for those patients for whom other medications have proven ineffective. While the researchers are still uncertain of the exact mechanisms that cause it to work, they believe it is due to a reduction in intracranial pressure. However, more studies will need to be conducted to verify these results. For now, ongoing studies involving animal models are revealing very promising results.